Celtic laid down a marker for the rest of the Scottish Premiership season by thrashing Rangers in the Old Firm derby.
Brendan Rodgers’ defending champions were superior in every department and ran out deserving winners thanks to goals from Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor.
The win sees Celtic maintain their 100 per cent record at the start of the season and they join Aberdeen at the top of the table.
It was actually Rangers that started the stronger, bossing the early changes much to the frustration of the home crowd.
But when Celtic finally settled, they did so to devastating effect and Rodgers’ men almost went ahead after 11 minutes.
Nicolas Kuhn escaped down the right and his cut back was swept home by Kyogo only for the offside flag to deny the Hoops.
Celtic did take the lead, though, in similar circumstances. This time it was Alistair Johnston who got to the byline and his pull back was perfect for Maeda to fire past Jack Butland.
It should have been 2-0 after 36 minutes. Johnston was again the architect but this time Maeda’s shot was blocked by James Tavernier and, following good work from Kuhn, Reo Hatate somehow contrived to blaze a shot wide from five yards.
Celtic were rampant and they did double their lead three minutes later. Kyogo picked the ball up 30 yards from goal, strode forward unchallenged and placed his shot past Butland, who ought to have done better.
Butland did save well from Paulo Bernardo as Celtic continued to press ahead of the half-time whistle.
SENSATIONAL CELTIC WIN THE GLASGOW DERBY! 💚🙌#CELRAN | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/RlvsqthsGL
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 1, 2024
Rangers, no doubt with the words of coach Philippe Clement ringing in their ears, did offer more resistance as the second half got underway – John Souttar seeing an effort blocked by Liam Scales while substitute Ross McCausland volleyed wide when well placed.
In between, Kyogo chipped over the bar when clean through while Butland had to make a great stop after Johnston’s cross was diverted towards his own goal by the outstretched boot of Robin Propper.
Celtic completed an emphatic afternoon with 14 minutes to go, captain McGregor firing home a brilliant 25-yard shot past Butland’s right hand.
Kasper Schmeichel saved well from Tavernier and McCausland late on to preserve his clean sheet but Rangers were well beaten.
